This blog contains assorted news and commentary on the fundraising profession and philanthropy gathered by the AFP Fundraising Resource Center.
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Wednesday, March 23, 2016

What Happens When 69 Children Curate a Fine Art Exhibit? | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations: "At the National Museum in Warsaw, which is known for its ancient and modern art, the staff recently turned over curation of an exhibit, called “Anything Goes,” to 69 kids between the ages of six and 14. The selection of the children was simple—first come, first served—and after that, the staff had only to implement their decisions, as the children chose the pieces and developed audio guides and materials."

The Voluntourist’s Dilemma - The New York Times: "They were there to build a school alongside a Methodist church. Muscular Haitian masons stood by watching, perplexed and a bit amused at the sight of men and women who had come all the way from the United States to do a mundane construction job.

Such people were a familiar sight: They were voluntourists. They would come for a week or two for a “project” — a temporary medical clinic, an orphanage visit or a school construction. A 2008 study surveyed 300 organizations that market to would-be voluntourists and estimated that 1.6 million people volunteer on vacation, spending around $2 billion annually. "

Development questions for nonprofits: "In his excellent presentation on digital donor retention at the International Association of Fundraising Professionals conference in March 2016, Steven Shattuck offered up practical ways you can help inspire those first-time donors to give again. Here’s the data that informed his suggestions:

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Teach for America to Shed 15% of National Staff - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Teach for America is reducing its national work force by a net 150 jobs in a move the teacher-training nonprofit's leaders say will give its more than 50 regional offices greater independence, The Washington Post reports. The organization, which places new college graduates in poor school districts for two-year classroom stints, will shed 250 office positions while adding 100 new ones."

The Wounded Warrior Project's Problem Is Not Solved: "In case you haven't seen it, the Wounded Warrior Project (a national charity supporting veterans) has been in the spotlight in the last few months, and not in a good way. The New York Times reported in January that they were spending too much money on lavish staff retreats and first-class airline tickets. There were also some shady comments from recent employees about the culture there (more on that in a minute). The Board saw that article, did some investigating, and then a few weeks ago fired the CEO and COO. Now Senator Charles Grassley is asking for some answers. Ugh. Not a good time for this group. And this is a huge charity. They raised $325 million in 2015, and they have 22 locations around the country providing assistance to veterans. "

Monday, March 21, 2016

Editorial: Mismanaged veterans group doesn't taint others - Fredericksburg.com: Editorials: "Perhaps the worst fallout from this scandal is the ripple effect it could have on charitable giving in general, and on giving to veterans assistance organizations in particular. And that would be heartbreaking because of the incredible work so many of these groups do—including efforts right here in the Fredericksburg area.
The Free Lance–Star recently checked back in with retired Marine Sgt. John Peck, a quadruple amputee injured by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2010. He’s pursuing the possibility of a double arm transplant that could help put his life back on track.
In November 2012, Peck moved into a new house in Spotsylvania County built especially for him by the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation and the Gary Sinise (R.I.S.E.) Foundation. The VA also provided funding for the house, which was built at cost by American Heritage Homes of Spotsylvania."

In a letter Friday to the Wounded Warrior Project, Senator Charles E. Grassley, an Iowa Republican who sits on the Finance Committee, said that recent news media reports had raised questions about the charity’s treatment of employees and its spending."